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Annual Disclosure

In partnership with CDP, The Climate Group’s Annual Disclosure provides a transparent, global picture of the impact, progress and climate action driven by state and regional governments. We call on all states, provinces and regions to disclose to CDP, particularly members of the Under2 Coalition. Annual Disclosure is part of our Transparency work.

The successful implementation of the Paris Agreement relies on a robust transparency mechanism, allowing the global community to measure its collective progress towards keeping the global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Measurement and reporting helps governments at all levels better understand the risks and opportunities presented by their emissions, so they can implement more targeted and effective emissions reduction efforts, both within and beyond state borders.

The number of state and regional governments committed transparency continues to grow year-on-year, with 44 governments publicly disclosing in 2015, 62 in 2016 and 110 in 2017 - a 150% increase in just two years. Together these governments represent 18% of the global economy and 658 million citizens. A total of 2,399 individual climate actions were disclosed across nine sectors to reduce emissions and enable the transition to low carbon economies.

Every year, The Climate Group and CDP publish a Disclosure Report. The first Annual Disclosure Report was released at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC in Paris in December 2015 and applauded by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The 2017 Annual Disclosure Update showed that disclosing states and regions are on average more ambitious than their national counterparts. Their short-term ambition is compatible with a 2-degree world, but the mid- and long-term targets disclosed are too few and too low to be on track with the 2 Degrees scenario. The Climate Group and CDP encourage all regions to set and disclose more ambitious public mid and long term GHG reduction targets and disclose their progress.

Image: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon being presented with an advance copy of the first Annual Disclosure Report by Premier Jay Weatherill of South Australia, at COP21 in Paris

In the coming years, the Annual Disclosure Report will continue to showcase the level of ambition of states and regions globally, while at the same time taking stock of progress on climate mitigation.

By disclosing annually, governments are leading the way to a more transparent and collaborative approach to climate action. The Climate Group invites all states, provinces and regions around the world to signal their intent to start disclosing in 2018 (dates to be announced).

Disclose your data by answering as many questions as possible in each of the six sections. Sections 1 to 3 are mandatory and should be prioritized. Technical support can be provided throughout the disclosing process and a guidance document is available;

Over 100 states and regions disclosed in 2017, demonstrating action, ambition and impact

On average, they are more ambitious than their national counterparts. Their short-term ambition is in line with keeping global temperature average rise within a 2-degree scenario. However, additional mid- and long-term targets are needed to match the rate of decarbonization required up to 2050.

The number of targets disclosed increased

Progress is underway

The climate targets disclosed are backed by over 2,300 climate actions, spanning ten different sectors (agriculture, buildings and lighting, energy, finance and economy, governance, industry, land use, transport, waste and water), an 80% increase on 2016.

Forward-thinking governments recognize that measurement, management and reporting of GHG emissions and climate change data is of growing importance: it helps governments better understand the risks and opportunities of climate change and increase the impact of climate actions, both within and beyond state borders.

Start Disclosing

This data is evidence of what we have long understood — that sub-national governments have an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combatting climate change and supporting the transition to a low carbon economy.